Stamp-box



(No Model.)

J. H. MONEILL.

STAMP BOX.

No. 591,679. Patented 00t. 12,1897.

Attorney Jrz . positions.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. MCNEILL, OF STAUNTON, VIRGINIA.

STAM P-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591 ,679, dated October 12, 1897.

Application filed November 3,1896. SerialNo. 610,913. (No modeL) To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. MCNEILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Staunton, in the county of Augusta and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvem ents in Stamp-Boxes andIdo hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invent-ion relates to improvements in stamp-boxes, the object of the same being to provide a simple and cheaply-constructed receptacle for containing stamps to be carried in the pocket, from which the stamps may be detached or drawn one at a time.

The inventionconsists of an outer casing closed at one end, open at its opposite end, and provided with an elongated slot in its upper side, a stamp-receptacle proper slidingly mounted on the inside of said casing, having a stud or projection on its upper side which fits within the elongated slot in the upper side of said casing, a hinged outer end of said receptacle having a spring connected thereto for throwing the same open when said receptacle is moved to its outward position, a plate having side flanges and a slot or opening therein secured to the outer end of said stamp-receptacle, and a presser-plate pivoted to the outer end of a leaf-spring secured to the bottom of said stamp-receptacle.

The invention also consists in other details of construction and combinations of parts which willbe hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improvedv stamp-receptacle with the stamp-box proper shown in its closed position. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same shown in its open position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the inner stamp-receptacle proper. Fig. at is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line a: a; of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the device with the parts shown in their open Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the blank from which the inner stamp-receptacle is formed.

Like reference-numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

The outer casing 1 is closed at one end and open at its opposite end. It is also formed with an elongated slot 3 in its 'upper side.

Slidingly mounted on the inside of the casing 1 is the stamp-receptacle proper, 4, made of sheet metal, having a top and bottom piece 5 and 6, respectively, and no-sides. Projecting upwardly from the top piece 5 is a stud or pin 7 which fits within the elongated slot 3 in the outer casing 1. The forward end of the top piece 5 is cut out or slotted, as shown at 8, and is also formedwith side flanges 9 9, between which the stamps to be held are placed face up. Acting in engagement with the outer end of the toppiece 5 is a presserplate 10, which is pivoted to the outer end of a leaf-spring 11, which extends rearwardly to the inside of the receptacle 4 and is then bent upon itself and permanently secured to the bottom piece 6 of said receptacle. Between the top and bottom pieces of the receptacle 4 are the braces 12, that serve to make a strong and rigid receptacle. The outer end of the stamp-receptacle tis provided with a cover 13, which consists of a bent plate hinged at its lower end to the bottom piece 6 and provided with a flange .orlip 14 at its outer end, which fits over theouter end of the top piece of the outer casing. The hinge 15, by means of which the cover 13 is connected to the bottom piece 6, is surrounded by a coil-spring 16, whose outer ends engage the bottom piece 6 and the cover 13. The normal tendency of said spring, therefore, is to throw the cover 13 outwardly and'downwardly.

In filling my device with stamps the receptacle 4: is thrown outwardly, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the presser-plate 10 is thrown downwardly and the stamps, one upon the other, face up, are placed beneath the outer end of the top piece 5 between the flanges 9 9 thereon. The presser-plate 10 is then released, and through the action of the spring 11 the same is forced upwardly into close contact with said stamps, holding them securely in place, as clearly shown. may be drawn out one at a time by inserting the finger within the cut-away portion 8 of the top piece 5. When the receptacle 4: is

thrown to its outer position, the cover 13 is automatically forced downwardly by means of the spring 16, connected to the hinge 15.

These Ioc When the partsare closed, as shown in Fig. 1

of the drawings, it is impossible for any moisture to come in contact with the stamps, and the receptacle 4 cannot be accidentally removed from the casing 1. The projection 7 on the top piece 5 acts as a handle for sliding the stamp-receptacle 4 inwardly and outwardly.

Fig. 7 shows the blank from which the re-- ceptacle 4 is formed, and consists of a long rectangular body portion having lateral ex tensions near-one end to form the braces 12,

while the other end has an open longitudinal slot to form the cut-away portion 8 and lateral enlargements to form the flanges 9. v In forming the receptacle 4 the blank is bent upon the dotted lines and the ends of the extensions or braces secured to the top piece of the V receptacle. 1

Having now described my invention, wha I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. In a device of the character set forth, the combination with an outer casing, of a sliding stamp-receptacle proper situated within the same and provided with a slotted outer end, a presser-plate situated against the lower face of the slotted outer end portion of the stamp-receptacle,and a movable cover fastened to the sliding stamp-receptacle and which opens automatically when the stampreceptacle is forced outwardly.

2. In a device of the character specified,- the combination with an outer casing having a slot in the top face thereof, of a sliding stampreceptacle situated within said casing and having a slotted outer end, a stud or projection upon the said stamp-receptacle extend ing through .said slot, a springactuated presser-plate situated against the lower face of the slotted portion of said stamp-receptacle, and a cover fastened to said sliding stampreceptacle and which is automatically thrown open when the stamp-receptacle is moved outwardly.

3. In a device of the character set forth, the

combination with an outer casing having an elongated slot therein, of a stamp-receptacle proper slidingly mounted on the inside of said casing, a stud or projection on said receptacle extending out through said slot, the

forward end of the top plate of said receptacle being slotted or cut away and provided 1 with flanges on each side of said cut-awaycasing, a stud or projection on said recep tacle extending out through said slot,- the for ward end of the top plate of said receptacle I i specification in the-presence of two subscrib ing witnesses. 7

JAMES H. MoNEILL. Witnesses:

GEo. G. MoCANN, G. P. MoNEILL. 

